Trade Union Ballots & Elections – Independent Scrutineer Services
Mi-Voice is an independent scrutineer and returning officer for trade union ballots and elections, with over 20 years’ experience supporting trade unions internationally. We’ve delivered statutory and non-statutory ballots – industrial action, executive elections, political fund reviews and more – using online, postal and hybrid voting methods.
Mi-Voice is UK Government-approved and Cyber Essentials Plus certified; we manage everything from nominations to declarations, or we can provide our nomination and voting platform for unions that want to run their own processes.
Trusted By
Membership Data Audit Before Every Ballot
We audit your membership data before the ballot opens – identifying who can vote electronically, where the gaps are, and what it means for your costs.
Hybrid Balloting: Online, SMS and Postal
Our hybrid balloting model routes each member to the right channel automatically, with built-in duplicate checking across all three.
Independent Scrutineer & Returning Officer
Mi-Voice acts as an independent scrutineer and returning officer on every ballot we manage. UK Government-approved and internationally experienced. Compliance is the foundation, not an add-on.
20 Years of Trade Union Ballots & Elections
We’ve run statutory and non-statutory trade union elections across the UK, Ireland and beyond for over two decades, including for the BDA, BALPA, Accord, The Police Federation, Forsa and Teachers Union Ireland.
Our e-voting licence option allows many of our trade unions to undertake a number of their own election processes, which reduces the need for industrial action.
Mi-Voice can also act as the returning Officer, ensuring the entire process is managed with integrity.
Choose from fully managed where we project manage the entire process on your behalf or self-service using our e-voting platform.
Are You Ready for Electronic Balloting Reforms?
Electronic balloting for statutory trade union votes is advancing across multiple jurisdictions. In the UK, the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces electronic balloting for industrial action ballots, executive elections, political fund resolutions and union mergers, accompanied by a new statutory Code of Practice. Under that Code, independent scrutineers must hold Cyber Essentials Plus certification throughout the ballot period.
Mi-Voice already holds Cyber Essentials Plus. Whether your union is preparing for legislative change or already operating under a framework that permits electronic balloting, we’re ready to support you – as your compliant independent scrutineer and trusted delivery partner.
How Managing Trade Union Balloting With Mi-Voice Works
| Step | Stage | |
| 1 | Data Health Check | We review your membership data, identify who can be reached electronically, and tell you exactly where you stand before the ballot opens. |
| 2 | Nominations | Our platform handles nomination and support phases from any device – real-time tracking, full compliance, engagement from the start. |
| 3 | Communications & Voting | Members receive electronic ballots, SMS links, or postal ballots based on their data. Voting takes under a minute on any device. |
| 4 | Results & Compliance | Duplicate checking across all channels. Real-time turnout dashboards. Independent scrutineer declares the result. Data securely stored for 12 months. |
Our Service Includes
- Full project management and returning officer services
- Online, In-person, SMS, postal & hybrid balloting
- Advanced nominations platform
- Tailored member communications
- Real-time turnout reporting
- E-voting licence for self-service processes
- Virtual General Meeting hosting
Ballot Types We Cover
- Industrial action ballots
- Trade union executive elections
- Political fund and merger ballots
- Consultative balloting and pay reviews
- Conference and AGM voting
- Committee elections
- Surveys and consultations
Choose Your Model
Fully Managed – we run the entire ballot process on your behalf, acting as independent scrutineer and returning officer.
Self-Service – use our e-voting licence to manage your own non-statutory and non-industrial action processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an independent scrutineer for trade union ballots?
An independent scrutineer is a qualified, approved body appointed to supervise the conduct of statutory trade union ballots – including industrial action ballots, executive elections and political fund reviews – ensuring the process meets the required legal standards.
Mi-Voice is a named, UK Government-approved independent scrutineer with over 20 years’ experience delivering compliant ballots for unions internationally.
Can trade unions use electronic balloting?
This depends on your jurisdiction. In the UK, the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces electronic balloting for most statutory trade union ballots, including industrial action, with implementation expected in August 2026. Mi-Voice already supports electronic and hybrid voting for non-statutory ballots and holds Cyber Essentials Plus certification as required for scrutineers under the UK’s new statutory Code of Practice.
For unions outside the UK, we can advise on electronic voting options within your applicable framework.
What is hybrid balloting?
Hybrid balloting means members can vote through more than one channel – typically online, by SMS, or by postal ballot, with the method determined by the data held for each member. Mi-Voice’s hybrid balloting model includes automatic channel routing and cross-channel duplicate checking, so every member gets a vote, and every vote counts once.
Do you act as returning officer as well as independent scrutineer?
Yes. Mi-Voice provides both independent scrutineer and returning officer services on fully managed ballots, covering the complete process from nominations, through to result declaration.
Take advantage of our FREE Ballot Cost & Participation Analysis
Discover how Mi-Voice can support your trade union. Simply send us your last three ballots’ cost and participation data, and we’ll show you what’s genuinely achievable – participation rates, cost savings, and what implementation would involve for your union. There’s no obligation, just a chance to see the potential benefits for your union.
Email enquiries@mi-voice.com or call us on 02380 763 980 to get started with your FREE ballot cost & participation analysis.
Features
Multi-channel voting
Postal, online, telephone, SMS and/or in person – every vote matters.
Managed service
Delivering your election requirements on your behalf.
Self-service
Provides you with the ability to manage your own vote online, simply and cost effectively.
Voting tailored to your needs
Tell us your election needs and we can customise our service accordingly.
Customisable voting platform
Our online voting platform is fully customisable, supporting a wide range of voting scenarios.
Social media friendly
Broaden your election campaign reach and widen participation across all technology and social media.
Real-time reporting
Keep up to date with every stage of your vote with our clear and concise reporting dashboard.
Single use or annual licence
Our software is available for single use or can be subscribed to annually.
Some of our customers
